comment

LARCHMONT, N.Y. - A much maligned, oft-discussed plan for a drive-thru Dunkin’ Donuts in Larchmont has reportedly been blocked.

Developers have been eager to construct the coffee shop, complete with a drive-thru, at the site of the old Bank of America building on Palmer Avenue, though it has hit several snags along the way.

Citing concerns of traffic, increased noise, pollution and less local, more commercialized coffee options, many in the area have spoken out against the potential franchise moving into the area. Villages officials could not immediately be reached on Tuesday afternoon.

The proposed drive-thru restaurant would include full indoor seating and an eating area at the former bank location. A study prepared by Stonefield Engineering and Design LLC stated that the Dunkin' Donuts would have "no significant impact on traffic."

Officials said that the study analyzed existing automotive and pedestrian traffic during peak hours in the affected area, and compared it to projected 2018 traffic conditions for a pair of scenarios: one with the restaurant, one without. However, local residents remained concerned about the impact of a possible Dunkin' Donuts location.

“Those of us who live in 1880 Palmer will not only be detained on Franklin trying to find parking, patrons who don’t want to drive through will be using the few spaces that are there that we can only use for two hours at a time,” a concerned resident wrote on Facebook.

“I love my Dunkin’ and drink one of their medium coffees almost daily, but I would prefer not to have a Dunkin’ drive-thru immediately under my bedroom window,” another reader posted. “No thanks, I’ll pass!”